It's been a year since we started off this lovely publication for the informing of the wider CC about the goings-on in the Foundry, keeping them abreast of what maps are on the horizon, and of course giving them an opportunity to affect the maps that they will play on. I'd say that's the biggest attraction to the Foundry for me, you really do make a difference. How many other things do you know of that you can point at and say "I had an effect on that, and here's where?" And how about on the scale that the Foundry and CC offer? That's pretty awesome.

On a slightly more downer note, we tried to feature a lot of things in a "1 year retrospective" sort of light, and on a lot of our community participating things, nobody replied. Community Perspective was going to feature any people's two cents about the past year in the Foundry, even if they haven't been around for a year. We have nothing to show for it. WCA's Tablet was going to pay homage to the hilarious funny maps by encouraging the community to intentionally create bad maps. He got no submissions. The lack of participating is utterly killing our motivation to do the newsletter, folks. I and the rest of the staff sometimes feel we're speaking to an empty void, spending hours for no real purpose. I know, I know, you love the Newsletter, love reading it and think we're doing good work. But when we seek input and get not even a one-liner, it's rather disappointing.

On a final downer, InkL0sed is leaving his position at proofreader after a year, and layout editor after 6 months of service. We wish him the best, but that leaves us with two positions open that need filling! Please PM TaCktiX if you have interest in filling either of these positions.

Aside from that, we've got a fairly full issue, with some new banners by pikkio of Oceania fame, A Look Back at the very 1st Foundry Newsletter, an Editorial from Gimil about his time as C.A., and a Spotlight on the map Monsters by dolomite13. Feel free to peruse and enjoy the 21st Issue, the 1st Anniversary Issue.

Cheers,TaCktiXSenior Editor

In this section we cover every map presently in development. Each map is accompanied by a brief description of the map's theme, graphics, and gameplay, as well as what's been happening in the last couple of weeks. Finally, a link to each topic, the map's creator(s), and what stamps it presently has are noted.

Name:Castle LandsCreators: Pikkio & Thenobodies80Stamps: Description: This map is a depiction of a castle under siege. The central castle is surrounded by four quadrants of terrain, each with catapults capable of bombarding the castle's tower. For the most part, however, this map has classic gameplay. Present Development: Quenched.

Name:GreenlandCreator:the.killing.44Stamps:Description: Greenland, you get the icy chills just from looking at it. Nothing but blue, white and a battle. Circling around an impassible zone, this map looks to give a new challenge to players. Icy graphics done by the.killing.44 makes this map a real looker.Present Development: Quenched.

Name:Indian EmpireCreator: OaktownStamps:Description: Taking a cue from another, more modern attempt at India and its surrounding countries, Oaktown has taken the period of time when India was a British colony, and translated it onto a beautiful rendering of a history book (Editor's Note: he used the same book for the Brazil revamp contest). Combining simple colors and a hand-drawn look for terrain features and the like, the map is fairly simple on gameplay, with classic continents and a railway bonus to spice things up. Rewrite history for who controlled the region in the 1800's, or join those building the next railway for the ruler. The choice is yours.Present Development: Quenched.

Name:Poison RomeCreator: cairnswkStamps:Description: The Julio-Claudian dynasty of the early Roman Empire has a family tree complicated by multiple marriages between the members of the gens Julia and the gens Claudia. This map is currently in version 8, with a unique family tree layout. It will make for some interesting gameplay.Present Development: Quenched.

Name:Germany RevampCreator: PepperonibreadStamps:Description: The current Germany map, as many German members have pointed out, is quite inaccurate. In this revamp, Pepperonibread is redrawing many of the borders to more accurately reflect the real Germany, as well as changing many of the territory names. Finally, the graphics will be completely overhauled and replaced with, in the words of Gimil, "super cool, shit hot graphics." Present Development: No recent updates.

Name:AntarcticaCreator: e_i_piStamps:Description: Conquer Club has featured at one time or another all continents, save one: Antarctica. To avoid the problems of "boring chunk of ice with only research stations on it" and the treaty protecting it from conquest, the mapmaker has cast the map forward in time to 2060, when ice has given way to land, and everyone is vying to conquer it all. The graphics are suitably cold yet colorful, and the conquest basis of the map has been well-thought-out. The map merely asks that you conquer the previously unconquerable Antarctica.Present Development: Currently stuck by having conflicting feedback on how to iron out the last graphical issues.

Name:AtlantisCreators:Premier2k and NemesischildStamps:Description: Ever want to visit Atlantis? Ok, maybe a myth, but not anymore! Atlantis is unique map that is sure to get CC gamers talking. Great layout and design, with a bounty of colors keeping it lively.Present Development: Looking to be near a graphics stamp, with just a few last edits to make.

Name:AusterlitzCreator:pamoaStamps:Description: Have you ever wanted to be Napoleon? Well here is your chance fight his battle, win his victory or turn it into his defeat. With new and complicated game play, this map will be challenging players for years to come. The beautiful landscape is full of small details and a little history for those of us not fully aware of Napoleon's triumph. Present Development: In need of more comments than it's getting to polish things up.

Name:Balkan PeninsulaCreator:ZeakCythoStamps:Description: This is a gorgeous map of the Balkan Peninsula. The gameplay is classic, with numerous small continents and easy to take bonuses.Present Development: On hold until the end of exams.

Name:CC ArcheryCreators:Kaplowitz and gimilStamps:Description: CC Archery is a map that mimics players shooting at targets, and one disgustingly cute rabbit. Bonuses are easy to get, making gameplay fun in the early game. The graphics are heavily tongue-in-cheek, which serves as a boon for this map.Present Development: Silent.

Name:Central AmericaCreator:IgoasklucylStamps:Description: Fresh out of the Central America Amateur competition, this map is a representation of the Central American nations with classic gameplay and smooth tropical graphics.Present Development: Getting some gameplay feedback to spice up the map and balance it out.

Name:ChessCreator:john9blueStamps:Description: A map based on one of the oldest games, to put it simply. It's a lovely rendering of a late-game chess match, with auto-deploys on held pieces and attack routes based on piece movement. That alone makes for a different and engaging gameplay, sure to set this map apart. So grab the speed clock and claim checkmate soon.Present Development: Quiet of late.

Name:Conquer MartCreator:lzrmanStamps:Description: Ah, the shopping mall. Home of After Thanksgiving sales, last stands against the zombie apocalypse, and armed conflict. Well, in the past there wasn't any armed conflict, but this map seeks to change that, with fights over the departments and stores of a standard shopping mall being the order du jour. An overhead view shows off the floorplan of conquest, similar to a mall directory.Present Development: Soon to release another new version.

Name:Das SchloßCreator:CairnswkStamps:Description: This map is unique in several ways. For one, it is the only map that can only be won by completing the objective. For two, it's gone back from quenching into the foundry with a major rework of the map's mechanics to fix some unforeseen balance issues.Present Development: Once issues are resolved on those and all present games on the older map are completed, the map will get re-quenched. According to Game Finder, that is a SINGLE game remaining (a year after the map released).

Name:EnglandCreator:MrBennStamps:Description: Green and Pleasant Land indeed. This map displays England and only England, in many shades of green. Wonderful graphics make this map a showcase of real talent unless you happen to not like green. No special features except for a inset to include London.Present Development: Still looking for an ample way of describing the bonus scheme.

Name:Europe 1099Creator:Beko the GreatStamps:Description: The Crusades, you can hear the clashing of swords and the crying of peasants just from a glance at this map. Look closely and you will see it was painted on cloth. The setting of this battle, Europe and a touch of Africa during the 1099 Crusade. This map plays to the religious aspects of the time period and looks like it will make a great game. Present Development: Quiet recently.

Name:Feudal EpicCreator:GimilStamps:Description: The long-awaited sequel to the original conquest map, Feudal War. Whereas Feudal War was restricted to only 6 players, Feudal Epic has enough for 8 people, with wide and expansive village regions in between to clash and vanquish your enemies in. Otherwise, the gameplay is the same, if not better, than the original Feudal War, making this a certain favorite when it quenches.Present Development: Awaiting another update.

Name:First Nations of North AmericaCreator:TishaStamps:Description: Painted on a parchment for all to see, a picture of early North America. Divided into its early tribes, from the tip of Greenland to the tip of Mexico, and everywhere in between. With good old fashion standard game play this map will be a delight to those players that like to keep it simple.Present Development: No post-move update yet.

Name:GilgameshCreator:OaktownStamps:Description: This map is unique in at least one way: it grew out of a rejected revamp entry. Now divorced from the confining Centerscape gameplay, the maker has crafted a vibrant and mythologically-informed look at the Fertile Crescent during ancient times. Utilizing portions of the Gilgamesh epic, the map has both standard and special bonuses, leading to a very diverse gameplay.Present Development: Improvements seem to be getting more and more incremental, perhaps a stamp or two soon?

Name:Iron CurtainCreator:RjBeals and the.killing.44Stamps:Description: The Soviet Union and its constituent Warsaw Pact nations formed the basis of the feared Iron Curtain. This map takes that large region and turns it into a 96 territory map colored in shades of iron. Its construction is very clean, and the gameplay fairly open with a minimum of impassables. Recreating a symbol of oppression never was so much fun.Present Development: Deluged by gameplay feedback.

Name:Long IslandCreators:sailorseal and LED ZEPPELINERStamps:Description: A long thin block of territories surrounded by boats forking off at the end is the basic design of the map. A medium to small map with very few bonuses will give a new challenge to any player that decides to take it.Present Development: Silent.

Name:MexicoCreators:fumandomuerte and MrBennStamps:Description: This map just oozes the flavor of the country it is representing. It's a classic map with ports similar to the Philippines map, and its color scheme is straight off the Mexican flag itself. The vibrant colors and Mexican theme definitely contribute to the appeal of this map.Present Development: Looking to improve the mountain impassables on the map.

Name:Monsters!Creator:dolomite13Stamps:Description: This map makes you think just to look at it. A highly complex game play style with a fun and lovable theme, MONSTERS! It is essentially Monsters vs. Wizards in a fight for power stones, monsters, wizards and points. Present Development: Now soliciting feedback on the gameplay elements present on the map. Diagrams included, too!

Name:New ZealandCreator:Reggie Mac and LED ZEPPELINERStamps:Description: This is a map of New Zealand, complete with some surrounding islands. The graphics are clean and simple, and the gameplay is totally classic.Present Development: Awaiting a response on the gameplay feedback.

Name:Rose CityCreator:lostatlimboStamps:Description: lostatlimbo has a very creative premise for this map: highlight all the unique features of Portland and turn them into gameplay features. That coupled with a bright and borderline garish color scheme creates a different map that likely will break the "limited appeal" problem that other city maps have run into.Present Development: Getting closer to a latched-down gameplay.

Name:Route 66Creator:oaktownStamps:Description: Route 66, nothing says USA like this good old-fashioned road. Look at it, and you see a miniature USA. There are no territories out on the open road, just lots of different routes. From Chicago to LA, branching out all of the country. Players have to scramble for routes from sea to shining sea bringing a sense of home for players all across America. The fun isn't just reserved for them however, as any player will enjoy this new map created by the recently retired from C.A. oaktown himself.Present Development: Updated, and looking really shnazz.

Name:SwitzerlandCreator:Kaplowitz and WcaclimbingStamps:Description: Switzerland is famed for its bank accounts, neutrality in war, and sweeping mountains. So have a hostile takeover on this average-sized map of the country. Graphics are simple and the gameplay matches, with only classic continents and impassables.Present Development: An uncertain future for this map.

Name:TrafalgarCreator:CairnswkStamps:Description: The Battle of Trafalgar was a turning point in Europe during Napoleon's reign With unorthodox naval tactics, Admiral Nelson destroyed the French/Spanish fleet with no ships lost. This map strives to depict that pivotal battle, with cannon bombardments, boarding parties, and bonuses requiring most, but not all, of ships to be held. A clever model depiction and a solid color scheme help to make the map a bird's eye view of naval warfare at its height.Present Development: Nearly at a graphics stamp

Name:Treasure MapCreator:LED ZEPPELINERStamps:Description: A colorful take on a classic nautical "Treasure Map" featuring skull and cross bones with a few classic sailing ships thrown in. An objective style game play with a island hopping setting gives the player the feel they are hunting for a treasure. Arrr!Present Development: Sporting some graphical tweaks, but still no gameplay stamp.

Name:VancouverCreator:ShakeycatStamps:Description: This is a map of the greater Vancouver area. It has mostly classic gameplay, with attack routes between ports and special bonuses for holding various transportation modes, i.e. train lines.Present Development: Awaiting a graphical go-over by MrBenn.

Name:World CitiesCreator:sully800Stamps:Description: For those who loved Classic, maybe this will fill the void left in your heart. A typical image of the world (Moved 40* to the left) with cities instead of countries. With a well done graphical style and interesting game play to boot, this looks like a great map.Present Development: Lots of feedback has been replied to, a new version should release soon.

Name:WWII: The Invasion of PolandCreator:samuelc812Stamps:Description: Sporting the colors of World War II, this starting positions map has many special features keeping you always interested such as planes, tanks and bonuses for commanders. Take a look at this map and you just might learn something.Present Development: Working on some gameplay tweaks to finish balancing things out.

Name:Conquer Club National BankCreators:lzrman and a.subStamps: [Preliminary Review]Description: (Alarm goes off)You are breaking in to Conquer Club's National Bank, they have made the map, all you need to do is get the money and get out. Objective: Get 6 money carts and the get-away car to win. The only problem: there are other players standing in your way.A unique style of gameplay forces players to break their way into a bank with all of the territories named after members of the crack team who made the map. Sneaking your way past alarms, searching for carts of money, this map has many thrills to come.Present Development: Under some gameplay discussion to balance things out.

Name:JudeaCreator:Len44Stamps: [Preliminary Review]Description: Finally someone will do it, make the un-makeable map, Israel (Judea)! With a strictly historical shape and a well done earthy feel this map has quickly gained support.Len44 didn't stop there, he has not only started a great map but as spiced it up with a few complex game play features in a style of his own.Present Development: Silent.

Name:The 13 American ColoniesCreator: Industrial HelixStamps: [Preliminary Review]Description: Yankee doodle went to town riding on a pony...The 13 original American Colonies from Maine to Georgia. With a focus on regions far surpassing states from a territorial perspective.The land mass has ships to its right and Indian Territories to its left, but beyond that is other all a simple game play map.Present Development: Just called for Preliminary Review.

In the Editorial, we ask a member of the Conquer Club community to write about some aspect of the Foundry. Subjects thus far have ranged from first-timer perspectives to a fictional look at future mapmaking, with plenty in between. Anyone interested in writing an Editorial is asked to PM TaCktiX about it.

This issue, former contributor and moderator gimil writes the editorial.

It has been 17 months since I took up my CA badge and began my life as a teamCC volunteer. It has by no means been an easy drive but in the end, was it all worth it?

Firstly let me tell you a bit about myself. My name is Jamie Clark and I was born and raised in a small town in Scotland called Bellshill. After finishing high school I moved out to Stirling to start univeristy doing Human Resource Management. I enjoy a great many (and simple) things in life. Music, art, design, online games, instruments, people, sleeping in, swearing (alot), alcohol and just having a good fucking time.

Thinking about the last point there. The biggest factor in my decision to take on a CA role was that I hoped I would have 'A fucking good time'. It is only fair to say that my time on teamCC was a great one. Over the last 17 months I have met some great (and not so great people), learned a lot about online gaming and community (both from a user and business perspective), and made some truly great friends (and enemies).

The one thing that will always stick with me after this experience was watching the Foundry grow in ways I had never witnesses before hand. The months after my and oaktown's appointment had more development and structure than the months prior with the introduction of:

-The Foundry stamp system-Compiling of all map making info into the Map Makers Handbook-Setting of standards and procedure to ensure XML was correct before a map goes live

During mid term of my reign as CA I had some good and bad times. Our beloved and legendary Coleman could no longer fufill his position for illness (don't worry thou the lad's back on his feet and doing just fine). I had doubled up to take some of Coleman's former duties. During this time CC made me feel drained and overworked, my enjoyment was greatly reduced by this and an increase in community dissatisfaction with the Foundry. Issues ranged from how the process worked to CA conduct.

There was one glimmer of hope when tacktix put together this newsletter that has now stood tall for its first full year. Congratulations to tacktix and his team of excellent editors.

Now the Foundry is going through another process of large scale change. More and more people are being included in the running the Foundry process. The 'Foundry Assistant' scheme has so far been a huge success along with the final review process before final forge. This has taken the Foundry in a new realm of a more democratic process.

Unfortunately the Foundry became to much for this old mapper. A mixture of constant change and real life made me decide it was time to pass the badge on. I miss my position but I have no regret and know that I ultimately did my best in my 16 months on team CA and know that my decision to step down was best for the Foundry and for me.

Cheers,gimil

In celebration of the 1st year anniversary, I'd like to take you back to a year ago, to our very first issue. It's been redone to be on a nice PDF, with a few extra tidbits on the side. If you like that look, let me know so I can try to do future issues in PDF form in addition to our normal forum presence.

I mocked things up in Microsoft Image Composer. It is sort of like paint on steroids. But for the serious work I use Photoshop CS3 Extended.

What's the hardest thing you find about making maps? The easiest?

The hardest thing about map making is probably the constant tweaking you need to do to the map image; I find myself spending hours moving things back and forth a single pixel. The easiest for me is probably the graphics themselves. I find it easy and fun to create original graphics for the map.

What sort of research goes into your maps, if any?

The research I did before starting on the Monsters map was simply to play as much Conquer Club as I could on maps that fit the general idea of what I was thinking about. I have considered ideas based on real world locations and did a small amount of research on wikipedia and the Internet in general.

Do you base the design of this map off of any others? if so which?

I started thinking that I might make a map based on the "Classic" map but when I started pondering cool things that I could add to the map I started looking at maps like "Arms Race" and "Duck and Cover" for their usage of bombarding and one way attacks.

How old are you/what gender are you/where do you live? Answer specifically, vaguely, or not at all.

I am a 43 year old male and I live in Seattle, WA.

How did you find out about Conquer Club?

I believe I saw an ad on the side of a game I was playing on Facebook and clicked over to it.

What is your favorite map currently up for live play? Why that one?

I think I most like "Arms Race", the way the map is laid out with the two sides being completely separated make it so that if you are eliminated from one side of the map you must nuke out the other side of the map for victory. That makes the map quite interesting to play as well as quite fun. However there are a few maps in the foundry that are looking really fun to play like "Castle Lands" that may soon take that crown.

What interested you in mapmaking?

I am one of those sorts of folks that loves to ponder what it would be like if I could contribute to a game I was playing. And because I have a background in game design, graphics, and xml I thought I would at least give it a shot and see if I could come up with something people might find fun to play and a bit different from the norm.

What kind of feedback do you like getting the most?

I realize that I am not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to creating maps and calculating the bonus odds etc so I welcome all feedback. Especially when an experienced mapmaker drops by and makes a suggestion or two.

What "keeps you going" through getting a map through the Foundry?

The hope that one day I will get stomped into the ground by 7 other players on a map that I created.

You are a first-time mapmaker. What advice do you have for people who are starting on their first maps?

I would say that you should go into it with a clear idea and an open mind. Look at the other maps already in the Foundry especially those in the Final Forge and ask questions. The people running the foundry have been great about answering questions about graphics, xml, and just about anything else.

How did you decide what graphics styles to go with?

I wanted to create a map that had sort of a 3D feel to it but was also cartoon like and also managed a feeling of urgency and excitement about what you were seeing not just how the game was progressing. I think of Monsters as a sort of lighthearted struggle for life and death.

How much time do you spend on each update? How much of that time do you enjoy?

I have spent as little as a few minutes and as many as 5 hours in one sitting working on an update. I am currently tweaking the army starting positions for both large and small versions of the map and I have split that into several 1 hour sessions over the past few weeks. I probably enjoy it about 95% of the time. The rest of the time I am making changes I know I must make so it seems a little more like work on those days.

Were there any suggestions that you absolutely loved? Or any that you really hated?

I don't think I had any suggestions I hated. I did absolutely love a suggestion about adding symbols to the wizards and monsters to help show connections between them because despite my checking the maps with two different colorblind filters I was unaware that it was still too difficult to discern the connections based solely on the colors I chose. I also loved the suggestion that I add faces to the wizards.

What do you think of the foundry process in general?

I find it fascinating. It is one of those cool things a small company can offer to its fans that a large corporation with a huge intellectual property simply cannot afford from both a monetary standpoint and a legal standpoint. Overall it has been a great experience for me and I am already pondering some ideas for future maps.

I was planning on writing about all the funny maps I have gotten, but since no one sent in funny maps, I don't have anything to talk about.

I was hoping at least one or two people would be able to submit funny maps and that would give me something quick to write about. I'm really busy today and with no funny maps, I don't have time to get something else together on such short notice.

Sorry for the boring Tablet this week.

I don't think I'll be doing community participation map things anymore. Since no one wants to make anything.I'll still be writing the Tablet, I just won't be asking for you guys to submit maps anymore.

Until next week,~wcaclimbing

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Wrap up

We would like to thank you all for taking the time to read and enjoy our newsletter.See you next time!

good read. I always look forward to the newsletter. you guys really put a lot of effort into this. Thanks. And WCA - I think the theme was too broad this week. Nobody was going to take the the time to think of a funny map, then create the whole thing, just to appear as a blurb in this newsletter - way too much effort.

You should have simpler tasks for people, like "create a unique mountain range", or "create 10 of the smallest territories you can, with legible names & borders", or "trace & paint this object using only vector software" or "create a unique isometric forest range"....

TaCktiX wrote:On a slightly more downer note, we tried to feature a lot of things in a "1 year retrospective" sort of light, and on a lot of our community participating things, nobody replied.

sad, but not shocking or unbelievable... as witnessed in a thread for another newsletter, when the broader CC community was asked what was wrong with the foundry, every opinion was met with stiff resistance and a counter as to how that opinion was wrong.. and now, you read this newsletter, and it seems as if there really is something wrong with the foundry, in terms of participation. so, although this is sad, i am not at all shocked by this. and yes, i am still poking about the foundry, enjoying threads and trying to understand how it all works a little better... anyway, what a sad opener...-0

Thorthoth,"Cloaking one's C&A fetish with moral authority and righteous indignation makes it ever so much more erotically thrilling"